COMPARISON OF EARLY AND LATE START MODELS OF DELINQUENCY IN ADULT OFFENDERS

This study examines the validity of the early and late start models of delinquency in adult offenders. Subjects were 180 adult maximum-secur ity inmates who provided information regarding adult and juvenile crim inal history, familial and childhood factors, and medical history. Sig nificant differences were found between early starters, late starters, and nondelinquents for substance abuse, diagnoses of antisocial perso nality, childhood conduct disorder attention deficit hyperactivity dis order and childhood violence. Differences were also found in family hi story of criminality and substance abuse as well as childhood physical and sexual abuse. The utility of the early and late start models in i dentifying clinical issues in adult offenders is discussed.